Fiji Airways A330s travel international routes covering Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Narita, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with its Business Class ripe for the discerning traveller. With a dedicated check-in, extra baggage allowance, express airport lanes, and lounge access at selected airports – Sydney included – it’s the best way to fly to Fiji.
The details
Flyer: Cathay Wagstaff
Airline: Fiji Airways
Class: Business Class
Route: Sydney – Nadi, Fiji
Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes
The cabin
The Business Class cabin on the A330 is intimate. With its plush white leather seats, offset with black pattern cushions, make it one of the chicest business-class looks in the air. The angled seat reclines considerably – about 170 degrees – with a fold-out footrest in a 2-2-2 configuration. And with only four rows makes the cabin feel ultra-exclusive.
The seat
Seats are wide (21 inches; pitch: 60 inches) with a generous amount of legroom and almost flat seats. On long-haul and night flights, they offer doonas and premium mattress toppers for extra comfort. An added luxury for a good night’s sleep. My flight may have been shorter, however, it was just as enjoyable. With large individual TV screens (at 15.4 inches) hosting a full range of in-flight entertainment. A USB port, generous storage space, and a comfy pillow and blanket are neatly positioned on each seat, ready for the journey.
Business Class guests can use Fiji Airways Premier Lounge in Nadi or an affiliate lounge © Fiji Airways
The entertainment
On-demand in-flight entertainment is standard these days on airlines, and Fiji Airways is up there with the best. Offering plenty of options to entertain you from the moment you board from the latest Hollywood and international movies. To a wide range of TV series, over 550 albums, and a selection of audiobooks, radio channels, and games. Ask for a pair of noise-canceling Phitek headphones if you haven’t brought your own.
For avid readers like me, the PressReader app has over 7000 newspapers or magazine titles to devour during your flight. And can be accessed 96 hours before departure until 24 hours after the flight.
The drinks list
A range of fine wines, including Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand, French Pinot Noir, Fiji beer, spirits including Fiji Rum, and liqueurs alongside Chanoine Grande Réserve Brut NV Champagne, which I gladly accept a glass before take off.
The dining
Business Class passengers are spoilt with a new onboard menu updated by the renowned Fijian-New Zealand Chef Richard Cross every season. It’s fine dining at 35,000 feet over three courses with a selection of cheeses to finish. The chicken roulade in a creamy bechamel sauce was my pick. All are served on white china with linen and refreshments, and the food is so good it recently won the accolade of Best Food and Beverage in the South Pacific at the APEX Passenger Choice Awards.
The amenities
Amenity kits with deluxe Pure Fiji toiletries, eco dental kits, eye shades, and socks are part of the inflight service on all long-haul and night flights.
The Signature factor
Skip the queues with Priority airport check-in, boarding, and extra baggage as a Business Class guest, plus, you can use Fiji Airways Premier Lounge in Nadi or an affiliate lounge at an international departure airport – in my case, Qantas Business Class Lounge in Sydney.
Flights from Australia to Fiji
Fiji Airways operates twice daily flights from Sydney and daily flights from Melbourne and Brisbane to Nadi, Fiji. With twice-weekly flights from Adelaide to Nadi, and convenient connections to North America and Canada.
‘Resort Check-In’
A new feature with Fiji Airways is now available at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, and most recently, the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, with more resorts to be added in 2023. Passengers can check in to their international Fiji Airways flight directly at the resort with bags tagged and securely transported to the airport, and boarding passes issued at the hotel. So once at the airport, you head straight for security and immigration making travel even more of a breeze.
